Blog Profile / Moneyland

Bernanke to Speak: 3 Big Questions We Hope the Fed Chief Will Answer

In an age of unconventional monetary policy, Fed whispering is an increasingly common art – this afternoon, all eyes will be on Ben Bernanke as he issues guidance on the Federal Reserve policies over the next few months. This particular press conference will be closely scrutinized, as we’re at a possible turning point with monetary policy. Show More Summary

Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion

(MILAN) — A Milan court has convicted the designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of tax evasion. The pair were found guilty Wednesday of failing to declare euros 1 billion ($1.3 billion) in income to authorities. The court sentenced them both to one year and eight months in jail. Show More Summary

China’s Chicken-and-Egg Problem: What Comes First, Wealth or Freedom?

This article is the third in Foroohar’s series on Chinese business developments and their effects on the global economy; read earlier installments here and here. There are many questionable bits of conventional wisdom about China, but one of the most persistent is this: The Middle Kingdom must get rich before it becomes free. Show More Summary

3 Ways to Get a Promotion

If you’ve been at your company for a few years and hope to move up to the next level, here are three things you can do to increase your chances: Take initiative. Producing results in your job is just table stakes. Go beyond the confines of your current role and find ways to improve your group’s performance. Show More Summary

Ford Smartens Up and Dumbs Cars Down

Since 2010, Ford has been aggressively pushing a touch-screen control system as a replacement to old-fashioned knobs and buttons on the dashboard. But guess what? Those knobs and buttons did the job pretty well—and drivers want them back. Show More Summary

Google Wants Your Money, But Not Your Advice

Big tech companies like Google and Facebook have made their fortunes by putting the power of the Internet in the hands of ordinary people. But when it comes to empowering their own shareholders, these companies are a lot less willing to relinquish control. Show More Summary

Google Challenges NSA Secrecy in FISA Court

Google has petitioned a secret U.S. national security court to relax restrictions on the information the tech giant can disclose about government data requests, claiming such restrictions violate the company’s right to free speech under...Show More Summary

Feds: N.Y., Va. 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants

(NEW YORK) — Nine owners and managers of 7-Eleven stores across Long Island and in Virginia were charged on Monday in a scheme to exploit immigrants from Pakistan and the Philippines, in part by paying them using the stolen Social Security numbers of a child and three dead people. Show More Summary

The Real Lesson Behind Excessive Overdraft Fees

What’s more effective: consumer protections or consumer education that leads to sound individual decision-making? There is a place for both. But those who question whether financial education works would do well to consider the Consumer...Show More Summary

5 Negotiation Tips From Steve Jobs

U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Soars to 7-year High

For the first time in seven years, most U.S. homebuilders are optimistic about home sales, a sign that construction could help drive stronger economic growth in coming months. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index leaped to 52 this month from 44 in May. Show More Summary

Why All Eyes Are On Ben Bernanke This Week

The S&P 500 closed lower on Friday, capping off another shaky week for stock markets, which have pulled back of late after a torrid start to the year. Though weak consumer confidence data likely contributed to Friday’s declines, many...Show More Summary

Red Steel City: What China’s Oldest Steel Factory Says About the Nation’s Future

If you want to understand the history of modern China, a good place to start is the Wuhan Iron & Steel Group, with headquarters in Wuhan, a centrally located city of 10 million that is often called the “Chicago of China.” At the entrance...Show More Summary

The New and (Maybe) Improved Beverage Containers

Beverage manufacturers just keep on inventing new bottles and cans—and growlers and pouches and “Vinis”—to hold beer, wine, and other drinks. This summer, your beverage of choice may come in an innovative new container that makes the drink fresher and tastier. Show More Summary

Wall Street Falls in Love with Snapchat

The photo-sharing app that’s all the rage with teenagers has found a surprising new clientele: Wall Street bankers and traders. Snapchat, an app that lets users send one another photos that self-destruct in seconds, is becoming increasingly...Show More Summary

New Age Philanthropy: Donor-Advised Funds Defy Sluggish Giving Trends

Charitable giving has a new look, one that is broadening the giving pool and helping keep the dollars rolling into nonprofits even during tough economic times, according to a new report. The reason for this change are so-called donor-advised funds, which are the fasting growing charitable giving vehicle in the country. Show More Summary

No, the Lululemon CEO Didn’t Get Fired for See-Through Yoga Pants

Earlier this year, yoga-wear company Lululemon had to initiate a massive recall of its popular luon yoga pants, which failed to fulfill one of the main duties of pants: opacity. The see-through-pants debacle cost the Vancouver-based firm an estimated $67 billion in sales, and gave the press enough material for headline puns to last a lifetime. Show More Summary

You Probably Agreed to NSA Snooping When You Accepted That Website’s Terms of Service

Everyone from Mark Zuckerberg down to the average Facebook user has expressed surprised outrage at the existence of PRISM, a top-secret government program that the National Security Agency uses to access user data from at least nine major Internet companies in order to target foreign threats. Show More Summary

Patient Zero: The Battle for Music Exclusives Heats Up

The article below was originally published at Evolver.fm. Before a piece of music is everywhere, it is nowhere. At one magical point in between, new music appears on the internet for the very first time, in a certain, specific place....Show More Summary

U.S. Unemployment Benefit Applications Fall to 334,000

(WASHINGTON) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dropped 12,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 334,000, a decline that suggests steady job gains will endure. The less volatile four-week average decreased 7,250 to 345,250, the Labor Department said Thursday. Show More Summary